MARGAO: National convenor of AAP and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on Sunday at a meeting, assured people of ST & SC community of solution to all their problems.
Kejriwal had met them at the Quepem dialogue titled “A Samwaad with Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes.” Over 200 people attended the meeting and raised various issues. They also discussed the non-utilisation of funds for SC & STs.
Kejriwal urged the people to elect a government which will be run by Goans. “I feel really nice about this discussion and feel that these open discussions are actually democratic in nature.”
Kejriwal also said, “There’s no high command in AAP and through these activities and dialogues, the manifestoes are made. Hence, it is the people who highlight their needs and demands which in turn become the manifesto. It is a manifesto created by the people. In this manner, I will come to understand the problems of Goa and Goans.”
Several people from the ST community spoke on the Tenancy Act and also on the Kull Kaido of Goa. To this, the Delhi chief minister said, “People want protection from eviction. Implementation of these vital laws is taking time. On the face of it, I feel these Acts should be implemented and we will do it if we are given a chance in Goa.”
“Tribal funds are diverted to purposes other than that of ST development and that should stop immediately. There is a saying ‘Those who have less in life should have more in law,’ and that is what we believe that the poor and the downtrodden have to have more,” Kejriwal said.
While answering on his views about the reservations for SCs and STs, Kejriwal said, “Honouring the Constitution, SC and ST reservations have to continue and if someone tries to remove it, he/she will be taught a lesson.”
UTTAA agitation and issue of death of 2 ST youth was also discussed. “This happens when the government is against the poor and I assure that in the case of the two deaths we will ensure that the culprits are punished,” Kejriwal said.
“Kejriwal has no money to fight elections. Neither does AAP. But this time, the people will have to exercise their voting rights in such a manner and AAP will provide them that platform and fight for the people’s rights,” Kejriwal said.
While connecting to the people, he said, “You have seen Parrikar and Parsekar for the last five years. The fact is that the people who never wanted to vote for BJP had also voted for Parrikar and the people now feel hopeless and it now seems that the BJP won’t get even one seat in Goa,” Kejriwal said in an assertive manner.
The Delhi chief minister said the pay scales in government and private sectors have to be same and after examination of constitutional hitches, the reservation of 80% jobs for local Goans in the private sector will be pushed by the AAP.
